Sustainability Assessment of Manufacturing Systems – A Review-Based Systematisation

Socio-political and environmental factors are increasingly pushing companies worldwide towards more sustainable production. When considering whether to invest in new production systems, the question arises as to the expected increase in sustainability, i.e. the ecological, economic, and social properties of the system. It is, therefore, necessary to have appropriate methods for assessing the sustainability of manufacturing systems. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this publication presents and categorises current approaches for production-related sustainability assessment. The authors systematised existing approaches in three steps: First, the underlying methodological concept was analysed, differentiating material flow-based methods, indicator-based methods, and multicriteria-based methods. Second, the normative scope was assessed, i.e. the sustainability dimensions considered and the objective of the respective approaches. Lastly, the operational setting was evaluated, i.e. the company level at which the approach can be applied. Analysing the systematisation, an unequal distribution of assessment methods across the categories became noticeable. Few methods for system and cell level assessment were identified; in particular, a lack of social aspects is evident. Concluding, the authors propose future research in the field of manufacturing-related sustainability assessment.